Q&A's

February 1, 2019

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Annie writes:

Hi, Scott:

I know you’ve mentioned it a little but could you let us know your thoughts about the QAF UK reboot we’ve heard about and what that means as far as a US revival? Also, do you know why Netflix is removing QAF from their service?

Hope you will answer me!

Thanks!

Hey, Annie. Your hope has been fulfilled! I learned about the Reboot the way you all did, via postings online. It felt a bit odd, to be honest, to learn that someone else would be taking the reins of a project that is so personal for all of us that had been involved with it but once I sew that Russell T. Davies was connected with it, I at least knew it would be in good hands. QAF is Russell’s baby and if he feels safe entrusting it to another’s care then I do as well.

From what I understand, at some point the rights for QAF reverted back to the owners/producers of the original British version of the series and a Canadian filmmaker (not at all connected with the US version) was somehow able to purchase the rights from them or a rights broker. This is why the reboot will be technically a reboot of the original British version of the show. From what I understand (and I could be wrong about this) Showtime still owns the rights to the US characters that were created for the US version of QAF but not the QAF property as a whole. So, to my logic (and again, I could be wrong about this) theoretically it might be possible for there to be some sort or project about the US QAF characters but it would not be able to call itself QAF in any way. Now, I’ve only played some lawyers on film and TV so don’t hold me to any of that as it’s all based on hearsay (I think I had some dialogue about that once!) but based on what I’ve been told that’s how I see it.

As far as Netflix goes, not sure what led to the purging of QAF from its US stream. They do this periodically with shows and films. Sometimes it’s based on numbers, sometimes it’s the studio/network who owns the properties wanting more money from them to stream it or want to regain control over a title for their own streaming services. Who knows? All I DO know is that they also purged, The Big Lebowski, Shaun of The Dead, Children of Men and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. So we’re in pretty good company!